Great sportsmanship and a try frenzy in abundance at Waterloo Road

Southport “Devils” 70 v Waterloo U8 70

A good deal of banter between parents supporting both sides underlined a wonderful spirit displayed by the players on the pitch to demonstrate why this is such a special fixture for our two great clubs. To see the children willingly switching across to even up numbers on both sides is wholesome and a credit to the coaches and the children themselves. Archie Morris, Sonny Rix, Jess Pagan, Jack Rogan and Thomas Pilkington take a bow. Thank you to the coaching team, parents and players from Waterloo; as ever.

All told there were six games played this morning, of which we have a report on five. Apologies for missing one but it was a fast paced morning, full of tries and hard to keep up with in truth. Thank you to Rob Harvey and Kerry Rix for keeping count on icey fingers that would rather have been keeping warm in snug pockets.

Game 1
Southport 10, Waterloo 15

A strong Southport side came up against an extremely fast Waterloo team. All Southport players contributed positively with a try each for Jack Hendry, Ethan Owen and Jess Pagan. George Harvey added a brace but the man of the match in red amber and black was Charlie Hignett who romped to five tries from his preferred position of first receiver.

Game 2
Southport 16, Waterloo 14

The Joseph Paxton show. Quite how these two sides found the time to run in 30 scores in 20 minutes made the mind boggle. Quite how Joe Paxton's dad managed to find space for a bacon and egg barm made this reporter extremely jealous, even if he agreed to eat it down wind. Quite how Joe Paxton found the hunger to take nine tries for himself is beyond belief. Strong running from Joe and a determination to get to the line was ultimately the difference between the two teams. Lewis Fusco also had an aggressive game, troubling the scorer on five occasions with typical fancy footwork. Hard running from Taylor McNulty and Lewis Grove rewarded each player with a score. Great running down the flank from \Thomas Pilkington breached the Southport defence to help Waterloo out twice.

Game 3
Southport 16, Waterloo 10

The win for Southport was no more than they deserved, the result of ruthless finishing. Ice cool Sonny Rix smashed in seven tries in this game. This added to the "missed game" (sorry) to get Sonny to double figures for the morning. Archie Morris had got us underway with a gritty, thistle munching run from first receiver. Woody might advise fellow countryman (a-hem) Scott Johnson to take note of one for the future. Jack Hendry has offered powerful running all season and, not for the first time, he claimed a brace. Likewise James Pilkington, who took strong running to the opposition. Taylor McNulty has shown immense improvement this season and all credit, your four tries were fantastic this game.

Game 4
Southport 14, Waterloo 15

Fusco; boom. Hignett; boom, boom, boom. Owen; boom, boom, boom. Rogan; boom. The boys were firing. Contact is just around the corner and it is apparent that a few of our guys are ready to go. Absolutely nobody more so than Dillon Smith. To the foolish helper that held a tackle bag in one hand and his kindle in his coat pocket a couple of weeks ago at training, Dillon tackles quite hard. To the reader, how does "Carry on Jeeves" end? Did Bertie Wooster come up with a genius plan? Dillon Smith did. He ran in six tries in this game....

Game 5
Southport 14, Waterloo 16

One final game to report on and what a game. One mother was unable to work out who she was supporting (combo of a six nations triple header and Jess playing for Waterloo creating too much confusion). Unbelievably, and an absolute first in my experience, every Southport player got on the score sheet.

Callum Bailey showed grit and determination to walk in two. Peter Thompson showed stretch and determination to reach in two from his preferred position of fullback. Ben Selby ran with fast feet and determination to add two more. Lewis Grove made it three in two for the morning, the result of superb support play and canny movement. To the delight of team Highdale on the soggy sideline, Elliott bulldozed to the left hand corner to pull us level. Kieran Rimmer played a great match as conditions deteriorated. But the spoils went to Waterloo and their temporary signing Jess Pagan two herself and helped Waterloo to sink Southport at the final whistle.Also well done to Kieran Rimmer who excelled himself with great sporting behaviour; troubling the score keepers and volunteering to help out the oppo

Wrap up

If Coach Paul was after any style prizes then the crowd wasn't very warm to his shorts. Coach Dave remembered that he needed four pints and the star of the week was awarded the Milk Cup. Enough said.

And so to the player of the week. Huge congratulations to Jack Rogan, strong running and excellent determination from a very committed player . Exactly what epitomises this fixture. Well done to Jack and everyone that took part this morning.